Newcastle United remain interested in a possible move for Calum Chambers, but only on loan rather than in a permanent deal.

That is according to the print edition of The Sunday Mirror (20/09, p74) [via HITC], who also claimed that Arsenal would be willing to sell the 25-year-old for £12m.

The Magpies' interest in Chambers comes in the wake of their pursuit of another Gunners defender in Rob Holding, who was ultimately persuaded to remain in north London by Mikel Arteta.

Chambers, who has been capped three times by England, has racked up 139 appearances in the Premier League and played 101 times in total for Arsenal. However, some long-term injuries have impacted on his game-time at the Emirates Stadium, where he has never made more than 17 league starts in a single season.

Indeed, the centre-back has been loaned out twice by the Gunners already, although he did win Fulham's Player of the Season award during his spell at Craven Cottage in 2018/19.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in Arsenal's 1-2 defeat to Chelsea nine months ago, and with William Saliba returning from loan and Gabriel Magalhaes signed over the summer, the competition for centre-back slots has only heightened at the Emirates.

Despite those setbacks, Chambers has been hailed by his former manager Unai Emery, who has said that "his attitude is amazing", while he is also adept at playing at right-back and in defensive midfield, providing an adaptability which any manager would surely desire.

Although Chambers has tremendous versatility and knows the Premier League well, along with being praised for his attitude, it makes sense that Newcastle would prefer a loan move rather than a permanent deal for him.

His return to action could still be some time away, and given the injury record that he has in his career, there is an element of risk to spending money on him regardless of his positive traits. Also, having already spent just under £35m on Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis in this transfer window, Newcastle may be reluctant to fork out £12m on a player with fitness issues.

Furthermore, Steve Bruce already has a healthy supply of defenders at his disposal, so Chambers is not a player who is badly needed.

Newcastle fans, what do you make of this update on Chambers? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!